Carlos Saura
Spain
2002
Musical, Play-acting
Saura Medrano and Antonio Saura
Natacha Kucic and Antonio Hernández
Carlos Saura
Pedro Moreno
José Luis López-Linares and Teo Delgado
Roque Baños, (special collaboration of "Tomatito")
Blanca Sánchez Torres
José Quetglas
Salomé: Aída Gómez,"El Director": Pere Arquillué,
Herodes: Paco Mora,
Herodías: Carmen Villena,
Juan Bautista: Javier Toca,
Dance body: Aída Gómez Company...
The director prepares a troupe of flamenco dancers for a production of the biblical story of Salomé. He summarizes the story and describes his spring for the drama's action: Salomé's attraction to John the Baptist. When the prophet rejects her, she seeks revenge. We are witnessing the working sessions with the musician, the choosing of the costumes. The score composer, set designer, choreographer and costume designer are shown doing their jobs in the part of the stage. We also see the troupe of dancers during rehearsals.
The second part of the film is the production of the stage dance adaptation of Salomé. King Herod has married Herodias, his brother’s widow. Herod is devoted to his stepdaughter Salomé. On his birthday celebration, he wants to make her to dance for him, but she refuses. She is only interested in John the Baptist, who on the other hand Herod fears. Salomé tries to seduce the prophet, but his status as a holy man does not let him be carried away by his feelings. Disappointed and frustrated, Salomé agrees to dance for her stepfather. In a sensual and frantic performance, she takes on the dance of the seven veils. The king, fascinated by the dance, would give Salomé anything she asks for. He is surprised when Salomé requests, in defiance, the head of John the Baptist.
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